ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Special Service and Features
1.80 kg of gold worth Rs. 89.17 lakhs seized by Chennai Air Customs. Two arrested.
Based on intelligence that gold was likely to be smuggled by a passenger arriving from Dubai by Emirates flight EK-544 special watch was kept to nab him. A passenger who appeared to be in a hurry was intercepted at green channel exit by a alert AIU officer. On questioning he appeared to be nervous and gave evasive replies. He was identified as one Mohammed Ashraf, 21, of Chennai. On his personal search two crepe bandages were found tied to shins of both his legs. On taking them off, gauze bandage was found wrapped and stuck by ducktape.On removing the gauze two paper packets were recovered, one from each leg. Both packets were unusually heavy weighed 2.07 kg and were found to contain gold paste. On extraction 1.80 kg gold of 24 k purity valued at Rs. 89.17 lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act.
On further questioning the passenger informed that he was to hand over gold packets to an unknown person outside airport. He was taken outside the airport to nab the receiver. After sometime a person who approached him to receive gold was nabbed.He has been identified as one Mohamed Ibrahim, 39,of Chennai. He has admitted his involvement. Both the carrier and the receiver have been arrested.
1.80 kg gold worth Rs. 89.17 lakhs recovered and seized under Customs Act.Two arrested.
Further investigation is under progress.
This is stated in a press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks with Prime Minister of Israel
PM Netanyahu congratulates PM on the success of India’s Chandrayaan-3 Mission
PM thanks him for this warm gesture
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a congratulatory telephone call from the Prime Minister of Israel, H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, on the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the South Pole of the Moon.
Appreciating this warm and thoughtful gesture, PM thanked him on behalf of the people of India and conveyed that success of Chandrayaan augurs well for the entire humanity, especially for the countries of the Global South.
The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Protection to Farmers Against PPV&FR ACT
A revocation application under Section 34 of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights  Act, 2001 has been filed to revoke the registration granted to PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt. Ltd., in respect of FL-2027 Potato Variety. The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority  in exercise of its civil court powers under Section 11 of PPVFR Act, 2001 passed an order dated 03.12.2021 in the said matter. The said order has been challenged before Hon’ble Delhi High Court in C.A.  No.2 of 2022. Hence, the issue is sub judice and no interim order has been passed till date.
The PPVFR Act, 2001 provides rights under Section 39 to the farmer who has bred or developed a new variety. Accordingly, she/he shall be entitled for registration and other protection as a breeder of the variety under this Act. The rights of farmers are fully protected. As per the provision of Section 39, a farmer shall be deemed to be entitled to save, use, sow, re-sow, exchange, share or sell his farm produce including seed of a variety protected under this Act in the same manner as he was entitled before the coming into force of this Act. Provided that the farmer shall not be entitled to sell branded seeds of a variety protected under this Act.
The Farmers Rights are also enshrined under PPVFR Act, 2001 and applicable all over India.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President condemns terror attack in Barcelona
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has condemned the terrorist attack in Barcelona, Spain. In a message, he said that there can be no justification for such barbaric and reprehensible acts and terrorism is the biggest menace humanity is facing today. International terrorism can only be defeated by coordinated global efforts, he added.
Following is the text of Vice President’s message:
“I am deeply shocked by the terrorist attack in Barcelona, Spain. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured.
There can be no justification for such barbaric and reprehensible acts. Terrorism is the biggest menace humanity is facing today with all pluralist and open societies increasingly encountering new levels of threat.
International terrorism can only be defeated by coordinated global efforts. We stand with the people and Government of Spain and commend their swift action in dealing with the attackers. I join the nation in praying for the bereaved families and early recovery of the injured.”
Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of PM's statement to media at the start of the Winter Session of Parliament
Namaskar friends,
You all are welcome to the Winter Session. This session is important. I hope that we all strive towards accomplishing the maximum possible tasks that are of public importance and significant to the country for the welfare of the people and the country. I believe that all the members of the House will move ahead with this spirit. We have been relentlessly striving to have discussions on different issues. The discussion could be an open one and a heated one but it must take place. There might be debates, discussions and conversations but I would like to request the House to work even beyond the stipulated time and all the important subjects of discussion must reach to a conclusion. Efforts should be towards making the discussion more meaningful and robust. And I believe that all the political parties who will be facing the test in the month of May will make the most out of this session keeping in mind the welfare of the public and not for the interests of their respective parties. With this belief, my best wishes to you all.
Thank you!
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Government seeks comments /suggestions on proposed amendments in Consumer Protection Act by 6thJuly 2021
Expansion of E Commerce and New Business processes have transformed dramatically over last few years
GOI has been holding series discussions with all the stake holders to strengthen the existing CPA in the light of these changes
Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India has sought comments /suggestions on proposed amendments in Consumer Protection Act by 6thJuly, 2021.
New business processes like E-commerce and other market developments have transformed the way Consumers make transactions these days. GOI has been holding series of discussions with all the stake holders to strengthen the existing CPA in the light of these changes. These include trade and industry Associations, Consumer rights groups, various Government of India Ministries and other agencies etc. Various new ideas and suggestions came up and many of those have incorporated in the new Draft Consumer Protection Act. The same has now been circulated for public.
Some of these new points include -
- Appointment of a Chief Compliance Officer,
- Appointment of a “Resident Grievance Officer”,
- Added “Cross-selling”
- "Fall back liability”,
- “Flash sale”,
- Registration of e-commerce entities,
- Noe-commerce entity shall allow any display or promotion of misleading advertisement whether in the course of business on its platform or otherwise.
In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause  of sub-section  of section101 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 , the Central Government on23rd July 2020 had notified the Consumer Protection  Rules, 2020, the Department of Consumer Affairs has sought views/ comments/ suggestions on the proposed amendments to Consumer Protection  Rules, 2020.
The details are available at the given link in track change mode .
Views/ comments/ suggestions on the proposed amendments may be sent within15 days  by email to js-ca[at]nic[dot]in
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah has congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the Cabinet's decision to observe the birth anniversary of BhagwanBirsa Munda on15 November as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’,
“Our tribes have made a great contribution to freedom and prosperity of India, they have enriched the culture and history of the country with their hard work, but unfortunately for decades our tribal brothers and sisters did not get their rights or respect”
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave them respect and their due rights"
“Shri Narendra Modi has made remarkable efforts to echo the valour and history of our great tribal heroes to every nook and corner of the country”
In today's Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a very commendable decision to celebrate the birth anniversary of the pride of the country, Lord Birsa Munda, on November 15 as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas'
“With this decision,our coming generations will be able to know about the legacy and immense contribution of our great tribal heroes. I congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this decision”
Our tribes have a made a huge contribution to the freedom and prosperity of India. They have enriched the culture and history of the country with their hard work, however unfortunately for decades our tribal brothers and sisters did not get their rights or respect. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given them respect and their due rights too.
Shri Narendra Modi has made remarkable efforts to echo the valour and history of our great tribal heroes to every nook and corner of the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a very commendable decision at today’s Cabinet meeting, to observe the birth anniversary of the pride of the country, Lord Birsa Munda, on November 15 as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas'.
With this decision, our coming generations will be able to know about the legacy and immense contribution of our great tribal heroes. I congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this decision.
Prime Minister's Office
PM replies to citizens’ comments on PM Sangrahalaya, 5G launch, Ahmedabad Metro and Ambaji renovation
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has replied to a cross-section of citizen on issues ranging from Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya to 5G launch, Ahmedabad Metro and Ambaji renovation.
On Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya
On Ahmedabad Metro as a game-changer
On a mother’s happiness on development initiatives like 5G
On urging more tourists and devotees to visit Ambaji, where great work has been done in in the last few years. This includes the Temples of the 51 Shakti Peeths, the work at Gabbar Teerth and a focus on cleanliness.
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Prime Minister's Office
Phone call between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and H.E. Mr. Suga Yoshihide, Prime Minister of Japan
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a phone call today with His Excellency Suga Yoshihide, Prime Minister of Japan.
The two leaders discussed the COVID-19 situation in the respective country and exchanged views on various regional and global challenges posed by the pandemic. They highlighted the importance of close India-Japan cooperation to overcome these challenges, such as by working together to create resilient, diversified and trustworthy supply chains, ensuring reliable supply of critical materials and technologies, and developing new partnerships in manufacturing and skill development. In this context, the two leaders emphasized the need for early operationalization of the Specified Skilled workers  agreement in order to synergize their strengths and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. They also highlighted the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail  project as a shining example of their cooperation and welcomed the steady progress in its execution.
The two leaders appreciated the support and facilitation provided to resident citizens in each other’s country during the COVID-19 pandemic, and agreed to continue such coordination.
Prime Minister Modi also thanked Prime Minister Suga for providing assistance to India for combating the pandemic. He also expressed hope that he would be able to receive Prime Minister Suga in India at the earliest in the near future once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes.
Ministry of Education
‘Study in India’ programme to encourage flow of inbound international students in India
To facilitate Internationalization of Higher Education in India, a Programme viz. ‘Study in India’ is under implementation with the objectives to make India a preferred education destination/hub for foreign students; improve the soft power of India with focus on the neighbouring countries and use it as a tool in diplomacy; to rapidly increase the inflow of inbound International Students in India through systematic brand-building, marketing, social media and digital marketing campaigns; to increase India’s market share of global education exports; improvement in overall quality of higher education; to reduce the export-import imbalance in the number of international students; growth in India’s global market share of International students; and increase in global ranking of India etc.
The programme focuses on attracting International students from select 30 plus countries across South-East Asia, Middle East and Africa. The programme envisages participation of select reputed Indian institutes/universities by way of offering seats for the International students at affordable rates, along with fee waivers to meritorious foreign students ranging from 100% to 25%. A centralised admission web-portal  acts as a single window for the admission of foreign students.
Moreover, the programme also envisages setting up of call centres for support; algorithm for allocation of seats to the meritorious candidates; selection of top 100 partner institutions on the basis of National Assessment and Accreditation Council  grading and National Institutional Ranking Framework  ranking; branding activities in the target countries; and close coordination with Indian missions abroad and foreign missions in India.
With the increase in number of foreign students, the global ranking of the Indian Higher Educational institutions will improve. The domestic students shall be exposed to a more diverse peer group and also get greater International exposure culminating in enhanced interest of Indian students to study in the country.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tributes to Rajmata Jijau on her Jayanti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Rajmata Jijau on her Jayanti and said that her name will always be a part of our history for mentoring a great person like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"राजमाता जिजाऊ म्हणजे धैर्याचे दुसरे नाव. नारी शक्तीचे दर्शन जिजाऊंमधून होते. छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराजांना घडवणाऱ्या मार्गदर्शक म्हणून त्यांचे नाव आपल्या इतिहासात नेहमीच जोडले जाईल. त्यांनी कायमच लोकांच्या कल्याणासाठी काम केले. त्यांच्या जयंतीनिमित्त त्यांना अभिवादन."
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
4,32,796 companies struck off down during last five years
Section 248 of the Companies Act, 2013  provides for removal of name of company from the Register of companies, if it is not carrying on any business or operation for a period of 2 immediately preceding financial years and has not made any application within the said period for obtaining the status of a Dormant Company under section 455 of the Act. This was stated by the Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Shri Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
The removal of the name of the company from the Register of Companies is a continuous process and a total of 4,32,796 companies have been struck off during last five years and its year wise details are as under:
|
|
Year
|
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
2021-22
|
|
Number of Struck off
Companies
|
|
2,26,166
|
|
1,12,797
|
|
43,912
|
|
Nil
|
|
49,921
The Minister stated that there is no rule making power provided under section 59 ‘Voluntary liquidation for corporate persons’ in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. A dormant company is covered under the provisions of section 455 of the Act, the Minister stated.
The number of Companies having dormant status as per such provisions, during the last five years are as under:
|
|
Year
|
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
2021-22
|
|
Number of dormant
Companies
|
|
451
|
|
362
|
|
570
|
|
81
|
|
116
As per information provided by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, no such measure has been taken to address industrial sickness.
Ministry of Defence
DIAT develops medical bed isolation system for covid-19 patients named as "AASHRAY"
In the current pandemic, due to continuous increase of COVID-19 positive patients, the requirement of number of beds are increasing day by day.
Defence Institute of Advanced Technology,  a Deemed to be University, Pune has developed Aashray , the Medical Bed Isolation System to combat COVID-19 by stopping/ minimizing the spread of virus/ infection released by the patient. This is a low cost, reusable solution to maintain proper isolation of COVID-19 patients by creating suction /negative pressure near exhale, and further filtering and disinfecting the aerosol.
Bed Isolation System envelopes are made up of specialized material and manufacturing process with transparent and translucent 7.5 ×7 ×6.5 ft3 size supported on medical grade materials structure. The product is modular and portable in design and can be suitable for different requirements such as institutional, hospitals and home/ individual quarantine. The envelope is reusable as it is antibacterial-antifungal and can be sanitized.
Each envelope is capable of housing one set of bed, table and chair along with some walking space. The width of the envelope can be adjusted as per the availability of space. Envelope is opaque up to 3 ft from bottom to maintain privacy of the patient.
The entire envelope is maintained at a low pressure  with adjustable flow rate to restrain spread of virus/ infection inside the hall/ ICU. Each envelope is connected to the main duct equipped with UV light and filter circuit of Pre, fine and HEPA filter  and suction blower. The cross flow of air from top of the envelope towards the main duct is regulated  as per the comfort conditions of the patient. The virus / contaminants are continuously sucked through the duct and accumulated at the filters which are projected with UV light. The suction blower throws the filtered and contamination free air to the outside environment.
As per prototype manufacturer  the cost of the setup for a unit of 10 beds is 1.0 Lakhs approximately and for home quarantine will be 15,000/-  for a single bed.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog delivers 24th CVC lecture on the topic “New India @ 2022”.
The 24rd lecture of the “Lecture Series” organized by the Central Vigilance Commission , was delivered by Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, here yesterday on the topic “New India @ 2022”.
In his lecture, Dr Rajiv Kumar spoke about many facets of India’s development, covering a broad historical perspective of our national development over time. He spoke of development as a mass movement, and discussed the three transformations that India is simultaneously going through – economic, social and political.
The different stages of India’s transformation were explained in a historical perspective, each period being characterized by deepening mass participation corresponding to the phase of economic, social and political transformation. The period from 1857-1942 was the period of India’s freedom struggle, which culminated in our political independence in 1947. The period from 1947 to 2017 was the period of post-independence India, accompanied by corresponding economic, social and political transformations. These transformations would become more significant with increasing mass participation in future, each future period being explained as a point in time, viz., 2017 , 2022  and 2047 . The roadmap for future development was discussed in detail, with specific goals established for the various transformations envisaged, such as Poverty Free India, Dirt and Squalor Free India, Corruption Free India, Communalism Free India and Terrorism Free India.
The lecture was followed by a lively question and answer session where the audience put several questions on issues of contemporary relevance to the distinguished speaker.
This lecture was attended by full time and part time CVOs based in Delhi/NCR as well as CMDs, Directors and other officers of Government Ministries/Departments, Central Public Sector Enterprises, Nationalized Banks, and other Organizations. The webcast of the lecture may be viewed online and is available on the website of the Central Vigilance Commission www.cvc.nic.in.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
More than 39.59 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 1.51 Crore balance and unutilized doses still available with States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
More than 39.59 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through all sources and a further 30,250 doses are in the pipeline.
Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 38,07,68,770 doses .
More than 1.51 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered.